The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-03-31

SAND OfnceS depend upon the Judgment OF tne
postmaster general and his assistants for the
appointment of good officials The appoint
ing of this great host Of postmasrers has
always cut large figure in the politics of the
country, and it has been en- important mat
In every administration that in the selection
of the postmaster general not only admins
trative ability, but some sense of the political
needs of the party in power be considered.
The postmaster general appoints presidential
postmaSters His first assistant appoints the
fourth class postmasters, who number some
thing like $4,000. Most Of the work OF Sc
lection in this great branch Of the appointing
division in this department is under the
charge of Mr.. Edwin Fowler, who has been
in the department fifteen years. Few men
have established for themselves such record
of iudicious, discreet. confidential service as
he has in this time His predecessor in the
main work of selecting this great number OF
small officials, Mr.. Mari, now chief clerk IN
the first assistant postmaster generals Office,
has been in the department fifty years. he
now retains his place, although incapacitated
by old age from rendering active service. No
one Of the thousands of clerks is more regu-
larly at his desk than Mr.. Mari. Mr.. Fowler
dpDOlHlS dilIuilll bSbNSOh AcSVNN $500
postmasters, larger number than any one
man has to do with. 1t reflects great credit
upon him that his work provokes so little
criticism, seeing that it deals with small com
munities where petty jealousies and rivalrlei
so often cut figure in the selection OF the
postmaster,
A great many curious things happen in the
correspondence which comes before the APP
pontment clerk An applicant for an inn
portant Office under the secretary OF the in
terror wrote letter TO the president after the
place had been filed by the appointment Of
another applicant, expressing the hope that
something less important might be given
him. In his letter occurred the following
sentence: ~ shall live in hops althow di in
despare." One of the antiques in the interior
department records is letter written by q
citizen of Missouri to the Hon. Thomas Ev-
ing, in September 1S49, applying for mi
office. II is one of the most curious letters
probably that was ever written. There is no
evidence in the records of the departments
that the applicant ever received an appoint
ment. 1t is as follows:
DEAR SIR-This Is to inform you, and through
you to inform the president that l am willing to
accept Of an office under his administration, pro
vded it pays well; but have very little expecta-
| ton of getting one
consider myself qualified to fill almost any Of
flee; but there are hundreds OF others who are as
well qualified as am, and perhaps better.
consider myself an honest man; but there are
| thousands of others equally honest.
| lam a political friend of the president; but
| that is no good reason why should receive an
appointment.
lam stranger to fame and fortune; but that
is no good reason why should not receive one.
| / should, Of course, like the best office; but
| "beggars must not be choosers."
should like to have an office near home; but
do not wish any honest and capable officer turned
| out to make room for me, who am untred.
| am a poor man; but ] do not wish TO plead
| poverty.
am farmer; hut that argues nothing for OF
against me.
am also surveyor; but there may be great
many better ones,
l am self taught man; but have much yet tC
learn.
have the reputation Of great mathematician
but do not wish to boast Of it.
| have small family; but everybody else
| either has, "a wishes to have.
have lived several years in Missouri but am
| yet unknown to fame.
Ihave sought Office 1t is true; but have seldom
| been successful
| see u great many OFFICES DeStOWeu ~ WdSn'
| ington city, either with or without merit; but
none have fallen to my share.
This looks sonSwhat strange; but how could II
be otherwise?
The great probability is that never will obtain
| one; but who knows?
You may perhaps think am jesting with you
in thus applying for Office but assure you an
| In earnest.
You may accuse me, too, OF egotism and AFRO
gance in thus addressing you; but how can ex
| pect an Office unless ask for il?
You may perhaps wish to have my character
before appointing me to office; but indeed
would not exchange my character for any office
| whatever.
could perhaps get good recommendation
from my neighbors; but do not wish to ask
them to tell a lie for me-
II you wish reference to some person high in
office, will refer you to the Hon. John F. Ry
land of our supreme court; but he knows very
little, If anything, about me.
If you can do nothing for me In the way Of
Office, please write and say SO; but make no apol
oges.
shall await anxiously reply to this letter
but shall be agreeaby disappointed II get one
My address is Pleasant Hill postofflce, Cass
(alias Van Buren, county Mo-; but what of that
In looking over this communication see as
many personal pronouns as il it had been written
by Col. Benton himself; but 1 assure you 1t was
not.
| could write more; but fear 1t would be vast
ing time to no purpose.
No more; but remain yours, etc.
Sept 10, 1849. MARTIN SCOTT
| To the Hon. Thomas Ewing.
e